Chapter Two
Diagon Alley was a bustling street with new stores opening up and witches and wizards of all ages were bustling about. It was midday on a late august evening and whilst most stores were getting ready to shut down for the day, many restaurants and pubs were getting ready for the dinner rush. Kids screams and shouts rang all over with parents and guardians calling out names telling them it's time to go.
In the middle of it all stood the Leaky Cauldron, ready to serve for its evening crowd and occupants and it was just outside of the building did the sound of a loud popping break the air for two people to appear.
“Oh my gods I don’t feel well...” Aspen groaned as she felt dizzy and nauseous as she tried to get over the feeling of being squeezed through a small tube. Her skin felt tingly at the use of magic and her stomach was doing flips.
A bemused chuckle rang out beside her before feeling a hand pat her back with mirth as the two sat on a nearby bench waiting for her nausea to pass.
After five minutes of rest, Aspen finally straightened up in her seat and breathed in deeply before giving Fig the okay that she was well again before the two stood up with Fig taking the lead towards a seemingly closed storefront, men and women walking past them and the store going about their day.
It was a completely different scene then the one Aspen was used to seeing and felt out of place in her grimy rags seeing all the men in their suits and vests, polished shoes and shiny pocket watches. Women in laced up corsets and hair pinned up and out the way in beautiful styles, clean and healthy. Beautiful dresses with matching parasols and while maybe those styles may not all be her favorites, she can’t deny how beautiful they are.
One hand clenched the hem of her shirt as she was pulled towards the store front, she took a glance at the sign and watched words appear in front of her eyes and questioned the name. “The Leaky Cauldron? Definitely doesn’t sound like a common name for an inn I’ve ever heard.” she muttered as the hand on her back pulled away to allow her to take in the busy atmosphere of the inside lobby.
“No, I suppose not for someone raised in the muggle world.” he mused before sitting her down at a table. “Wait here a moment dear while I get us rooms here. We’ll be staying here while getting you caught up in the basics of magic and some general knowledge of the wizarding world.” Fig walked off leaving Aspen there to observe her surroundings.
Just sitting in the pub portion at one of the tables she could see the immediate change in atmosphere already feeling the magic in the air. Cups and silverware floating through the air as they went to their tables, portraits on the wall moving and interacting with patrons of the pub.
The conversations were just as strange as the environment also caught her ear as she looked down at the tabletop she sat at, tracing the lines in the wood as she listened in trying to grasp at what others were talking about.
“Did you hear? Apparently, there's a fire breathing chicken running amok. Some loon had the great idea of breeding a chicken with a dragon.”
“Well Leander maybe next time your father says to leave the Cornish Pixies alone you’ll do well and listen instead of letting his words fly over your head now.”
“Imelda for the umpteenth time, no one cares about your new training plan you have for flying for Godrick’s sake, please shut up.”
Aspen felt warm and softly giggled at the absurdity of the conversations whilst also picking up on little tidbits here and there about the new world she found herself in.
‘Dragons and chickens can breed? I thought dragons were massive. How does one even go about that...? Actually, maybe I don’t even wanna know. Also, pixies? Like the mischievous fairy-like creatures from the storybooks. Wait why am I even freaking out about pixies, I can fly? Like on a broom or something?!’
A glass of water landed itself in front of her just as Fig came back around from getting them rooms and took his own glass when another landed in front of him as well as he took a seat across from the younger of the two.
“Alrighty Ms. Rosewood I –” Fig started before getting timidly cut off by Aspen. “Actually, Professor Fig, you can just call me Aspen if you please. You’ve already done so much for me getting me out of the Home and I figure if we’re going to be spending some time together before the term begins there’s no real need to use my last name…” Aspen said before realizing she was rambling and cut herself off with her voice dying out of embarrassment. It soon passed however when she realized Fig didn’t mind and continued what he was saying.
“Very well then Ms. Aspen, as I was saying. I managed to get us two rooms here for our stay here while we get you polished up here in the ways of the wizarding world. Now let's get started shall we.” Fig said with a kind smile as he pulled out a small pile of books and an old wand.
Sitting up, ecstatic to begin, Aspen paid close attention as Fig began his explanation on some of the basics of the world and lifestyle.
He went over things like what were some big rules to adhere to and such and how there was magic all over the world. She learned that; indeed, non-magical folk were called muggles, wands, broomsticks and cauldrons were instruments legitimately used by wizards and witches to even the currency that ran the world (it was hard remembering there were 29 Knuts in a Sickle, 17 Sickles in a Galleon and 493 Knuts in a Galleon !!). A witch or wizard reaches adulthood and is able to use magic freely at the age of 17 and that quills are used for writing rather than metal dip pens.
It was a plethora of knowledge that was dumped on her like a bucket of water where some of it soaked in and the rest of it kind of registered. It was overwhelming in the best of ways and dizzying all the same.
Eventually they found themselves at the topic of wands again as Aspen had asked about the old and worn wand that was clearly loved and taken care of. Fig had a faint smile on his face as he picked it up and looked it over before presenting it to Aspen to hold and look over.
Feeling that this wand was important to the man, she gingerly picked up the wand and looked at the grooves in the wood and inspected the handle before noting a small crack that was in the middle of the wand. As strange as it was it gave off the impression that it was injured and almost made her sad to see such a beloved thing marred in a way that was intentional and abrupt and not over the course of time like the rest of it.
As she tore her eyes away from the wand, Fig spoke up. “That wand has had a lifetime of experience and was close to its owner. Now if you recall me saying, wands choose the owner and while some can be won over and change allegiance, others are lifelong. This wand here in particular is an Ash wand with a Unicorn hair core with springy flexibility. It goes without saying it’s a great wand that doesn’t sway easily from the original owner’s ideals and morals and is difficult to turn to the dark arts. It’s reliable and learns spells fast and consistently. Now this is the wand I wish to lend to you till we get the chance to take you to Ollivander’s and get you your own.”
Aspen took in everything he told her but also paused as she gripped the wand in her hand by the handle feeling as if there was a connection that was made despite it being wood from a tree. It was definitely not a solid one however she could tell. It was almost slightly parental in a strange way.
It was a feeling akin to a child wearing a parent's jacket that they recently wore, the warmth lingering still and covering the entire child.
“Now while it doesn’t seem to reject you, I will find us a space to practice in should anything decide to explode in our faces so we can see if the wand will take to you using it in the meanwhile. Feel free to explore Diagon Alley. I will be back within the hour or so. Here is your room key as well if you wish to rest.” he said before beginning towards the other door that led to the actual Diagon Alley. Right as he cracked the door open and was about to step out, he paused and turned back to the girl who was getting ready to swish the wand in her hand towards her now empty cup of water and called out to her.
“Oh, and Ms. Aspen,” he said mirthfully, amused at having caught her red handed and took in her sheepish expression. “Do not wave the wand around till we can confirm that there will be no major repercussions to you using it otherwise we’ll have to find a different loaner wand for you to work with.”
Astonished at being caught red handed but understanding, Aspen set the wand down at her side and rubbed the back of her neck as she nodded. “Yes Professor Fig. I’ll just go to my room for a bit and take a nap. I’ll see you soon. Safe travels Sir.” She responded before heading up the stairs towards her new home for the time being.
Watching her disappear upstairs he chuckled fondly and just began his search for a good area to practice in the busy city of London.
“Oh Mirim, if you could see what pure soul has your wand right now. Then again, I’m sure you would’ve offered it up in a flash regardless…”
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Groaning, Aspen all but collapsed on the bed, not having had a comfy mattress for some time now and felt like she had died and gone to heaven. “Oh, heavens this is amazing. A real bed and a real duvet. I never wanna leave. Leaving the Home is by far the best decision I’ve ever made.” she all but moaned to herself as she buried herself deeper in her bed. Feeling sleepy she got up and decided to change into clothing more befitting to lounge in. Setting the wand on the night table set beside the bed she rummaged through the bag of basic clothing she was provided with.
“Nice to know even the Ministry has the foresight to know I wouldn’t have much clothing to myself that was presentable and not hand me down rags on its last legs…” She muttered to herself, choosing to put on a soft cotton shirt with a bow that when tied, drooped down and a pair of soft trousers made for sleep. She also made sure to set aside an outfit that would be ready for her to change into once Fig came back so it would be a quick change.
‘Even the clothes feel soft to the touch.’ Aspen thought happily as she crawled into bed and covered herself up and drifted off to sleep to the muffled sounds of the hustle and bustle of the outdoors and the soft twinkling sound, she’s begun to grow accustomed to.
It wasn’t long in her sleep where she was beginning to become more lucid in her dreams as she tossed and turned. The whispers grew louder as she found herself in the pitch-black room with nothing but her in it.
“Hello? Where am I? Is anyone there?”
“___eepers… … … trials… … … Ra__ock… … … prepare, m_ dear chil_… … …”
“Trials? Prepare for trials? Hey! What trials?” Aspen questioned as she yelled back to the voice. It was almost the second she finished when new voices started.
“__minis… my name is Se_-”
“Nat___ you need to be more ______ my sweet gaz-”
“P__py dear, come come, I just came back from researching the Hipp______”
The sudden barrage of voices and names began overlapping one another and sounded like it was coming from all around her. Twisting and turning she tried to find the source of the sound before a low voice and gravelly voice that sent chills down her spine cut through and made everyone and anything that was talking die down in silence.
“Wand holders are a stain that need to be eradicated!”
Freezing in her place she felt an abundance of terror that wasn't her fill her veins. She could feel her heart rate accelerate at an unhealthy pace as she felt her flight or fight instincts kick in. It was then where the voice started to laugh maniacally and was soon joined in by two more just as creepy as the next.
Aspen wasted no time booking it as she began running not knowing if she was even going anywhere before another voice forced her to halt in place. A sense of peace and relaxation washed over her once more before a woman's voice soothed her frayed nerves.
“Stars hold more answers than you think. “
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Waking up with a gasp for air, Aspen shot up in bed with a scream dying in her throat as she attempted to wrestle the blankets off her that she found herself tangled in. It was as she finally managed to get an arm free when the blanket was levitated off of her as a voice casted out a spell.
“Leviosa! Aspen dear are you alright, I could hear you next door you were having a nightmare. I see I just made it in time but are you alright? We can put off testing the wand and getting some basics covered if you would like? We do have a bit of time before we have to get your school supplies and head off towards the castle.” Fig asked from his place in the doorway not wanting to barge in as she was just calming down from her nightmare. He took in the frantic panting she was coming down from and the cold sweat that broke over her skin.
‘What could have frightened her so badly...?’ Fig thought to himself as he conjured up a cup and used the Aguamenti spell to fill it up before offering it to the girl.
Seeing the cup handed to her, she rasped out a thanks before taking it and sipping it as she tried to calm her racing heart. “S-sorry. I didn’t expect my nap to take a turn there. Thank you for, uh, that.” She said as she glanced up at the still levitating blanket before seeing it fold itself as Fig flicked his wand. It wasn’t long after she finished her drink where she shook her head and tied her hair back in a low ponytail, letting two side pieces of her hair frame her face to let her neck breath.
It was then that Fig took a sharp inhale as Aspen began to ramble off once more about being fine when he noticed the scar that ran from what seemed to be the back of her head from the hair line curved around to around what appeared to be her collarbone before disappearing under her shirt. It was fully healed despite being such a large scar and he could only imagine what kind of gash it must've been when she was freshly wounded. He briefly wondered if maybe something magical was the cause behind the gnarly scar but decided that to be a question for another time as she may not even have noticed if there was any sort of magic involved.
He could also spot the freckles that dotted the skin there along with some other smaller scars which he could only assume was under the abuse of the home which he is sure to report back to the others to make sure something gets done. Whilst they may not be able to meddle with their magic to improve the situation that doesn’t mean they can’t make things happen behind the scenes.
Cutting the young girl off mid ramble about being fine he waved her off. “No need to over explain yourself or your actions. Nightmares can be nasty stuff that even wizards and witches of all ages deal with so nothing to be ashamed of. If you say you’re fine, then I will be inclined to believe it. Now I’ll leave you to get ready and meet me downstairs. It’s time you get a glimpse of what a wizarding community is like.”
Looking up at Fig, she smiled at his willingness to take her word and go about their day, and nodded as he walked out and grabbed her clothes to get ready to go explore.